U.S. Official: Iran Has Tested a Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile

U.S. news networks, citing unnamed American officials, report that Iran has launched "a short-range surface-to-air missile" from "the same launcher" used in the test conducted on January 29. According to reports and quotes from CNN and Fox News, this short-range missile - according to Fox - is of the Mersad type with a range of 60 kilometers and - according to CNN - falls outside the "restrictions" and "sanctions" of the United Nations regarding Iran's ballistic missile program. The sanctions and restrictions related to Iran's missile program focus on ballistic technology that could potentially carry a nuclear warhead. However, this missile test comes after new tensions over Iran's missile test on January 29 and follows a report from Fox News that Tehran has backed off from testing a powerful missile. Both Fox and CNN have reported that the recent launch was conducted from the same launcher that Iran used for a previous "unsuccessful" test. An American official has also suggested that the recent test might be related to state ceremonies commemorating the 1979 Revolution, which is approaching its anniversary. According to CNN, the American official emphasized that their government is closely monitoring "Iran's military development." At the beginning of Iran's ten-day state ceremonies related to the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution, reports indicated an unsuccessful launch of a ballistic missile in Iran. The Iranian Defense Minister confirmed this test on February 2. Meanwhile, Michael Flynn, National Security Advisor to Donald Trump, called this test a violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution and stated that the U.S. is officially warning Iran from today. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, also warned Tehran that it is "playing with fire." While Trump's remarks were met with reactions from Iranian officials, including its leader, the White House spokesperson said, "The Ayatollahs of Iran will understand that a new president has come." Additionally, Reuters recently reported, citing U.S. government officials, that several organizations and entities in the country have been asked to provide their opinions and assessments regarding a potential plan to add the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to the list of "terrorist organizations." Reuters emphasized that it has not yet seen a copy of the proposed plan.